Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-06-03
SPEEDY DEVELOPMENT.
That the Railroads Hare Done
For the Pacific Slope States
and Territories.

OF the northwest. Until markets were
created, settlers could not go into the
wilderness thousands of miles beyond
the border line of towns, villages and
hamlets. A very few years ago Dakota
was unheard Of 1t is now great wheat
producing territory with sufficient pop
ulation and wealth to form a state. The
farmers of Dakota sell all their produce
on the spot. The grain dealers seek out
the wheat growers and pay cash for the
grain they have to sell. But Dakota
made no figure until the Northern
Pacific railroad was built into and
across it. Now it is the most important
wheat producing section of the Union.
The railroad going before population.
has marked out pathway for immigra-
ton, with the result that there are now
nearly 100000 industrious people, mostly
farmers, growing rich in that territory.
Washington territory is another case
in point, with the difference that it could
be approached by water. But despite
Its magnificent harbors on Puget sound,
It made little progress until it was GER
tain that the great Northern Pacific rail-
road would cross the territory with
terminus on the sound. That fact gave
q new impetus to immigration, and its
extraordinary development is associated
with the advent of railroad. Immi-
grants are focking and rapidly settling
its vacant lands, and in a few years,
when it shall have attained the requi-
site number of inhabitants it will be
admitted into the Union and will form a
prosperous state. A similar illustration
may be drawn from Colorado, switch
vas sparsely settled country until rail-
road development made it accessible,
when 1t made rapid strides in popula-
ton and wealth. 1t is true that its
mining development stimulated growth
in no small degree, but Colorado to-day
is fourshing and has network of rail-
roads which are doing great things for
that young state.
Now, what has been done in the
instances cited Is being done, or will be
done, in Idaho territory. The Oregon
short line has contributed enormously
to the development and prosperity of
that part of southern Idaho through
which 1t runs. The development of the
wonderful wealth of CHur d'Alene is In
great part due to the near vicinage of
the Northern Pacific railroad. What
has been done there will be done here
when we are reached by branch or
through railroads extending into this
section. 1t has come to be an old cir
cumstance that immigrants follow the
line Of railroads. 1t is not only true of
the instances cited, but it is true nearly
everywhere in this country. Arizona
did not figure as territory of any
great Importance until the Southern
Pacific railroad entered it. 1t was
known to contain some very rich mi
ming districts, but it was remote, and
certainly there was little to invite inn
migration. New Mexico has had like
experience. Traders had gone through
that country for hundred years. Its
principal trading point. Santa Fe was an
old town before the Declaration of In
dependence was signed. Twenty years
ago there was not mine of Importance
in the territory. and agriculture attract
ed no attention. Now all is changed.
Towns are springing up, farms are
opened, mines are developed and new
era Of prosperity has begun for that
territory. With railroad construction in
our own section we will witness similar
startling changes. The railroad may
have enriched its stockholders and Gre
ated gigantic monopolies, but they have
also created vast deal of wealth for
the people of these Pacific states and
territories, and it is certain that their
extension into new localities will create
as much more. And this to our think
ing, is one of the most satisfactory
results.
It is surprising to think that twenty
years ago the only railroad on this coast
was line of twenty-five miles between
and Folsom. The Union
and Central Pacific were only completed
twenty years ago. Now four great trunk |
lines cross the continent, and all that is |
left of the once famous and illimit- !
able western frontier is our own section !
Of Camas prairie and the western slopeI
of the Bitter-root divide. And if thS
signs fail not it will not be many
months before one or more RAILROADS
will he penetrating into the very hfart
If this, the sole remaining pieee of
American frontier. Our people must
stand prepared to adjust themselves to
he new conditions which will then be
brought about-to take advantage of the
Use in values TO recoup themselves for
he years of toll and labor they have
expended in laying here the foun-